Combined ink well and bottle



Jan. 7, 1936. c. G. GREGORY COMBINED INK WELL AND. BOTTLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1954 Jan. 7, 1936. c. G GREGORY 2,026,529.

COMBINED INK WELL AND BOTTLE .Filed May 28, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 r I III'IM/ 00 am AWM v [NI/@ENTOR.

@414 49K ga zjkefb Jug mg ATTORNEY Jan. 7, 1936.

C. G. GREGORY COMBINED INK WELL AND BOTTLE Filed May 28, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. q zfldd $1 @A'TTORNEY Q m Z 0 Ila-J1 5 III Patented Jan. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES} PAT ENT OFFICE 2,023,529 COMBINED mx wan. AND BOTTLE Carey G. Gregory, Los Angeles, Calif. Application May 28, 1934, Serial No. 728,026

' 15 Claims- (01.120-59) My invention relates broadly to a construction of combined ink well and bottle and more particularly to a structure of ink well andbottle which involves the principle of hydrostatic pressure in the feeding of the required ink supply for writing purposes.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved arrangement of ink well and bottle which may be readily vended at low cost as a container and used as a desk stand for writing purposes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of combined ink well and bottle which includes a tubular carrier into which a tubular container may be readily inserted for continuously supplying ink to a pen receiving reservoir for writing purposes.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of combined ink well and bottle in which a pen receiving reservoir projects through a tubular carrier which receives an ink bottle supported in predetermined position by the pen receiving reservoir for delivering ink in accordance with hydrostatic pressure to the pen receiving reservoir.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction of combined ink bottle and ink well which includes .a tubular carrier containing a pen receiving reservoir adjacent the base thereof disposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis of the carrier and having means for directly receiving ink from an ink bottle mounted within the carrier, the feeding of ink being facill.- tated by means operating under hydrostatic pressure.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a construction of pen receiving reservoir for an ink stand having means for guiding the-nib of a pen into ink receiving position and facilitating the delivery of ink to the pen under hydrostatic pressure.

Still another object of my inventionis to provide a construction of ink receiving reservoir for ink stands having means for continuously supplying ink to the ink receiving reservoir by capil lary attraction.

Other and further objects of my invention re- .side in the construction of an ink bottle and well and the construction of a pen receiving reservoir for ink stands, as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of the combination ink well and bottle constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1'; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line l4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a central vertical longitudinal section showing a modified form of my invention; Fig. 6 shows another modification of my improved ink well and bottle; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are horizontal sectional views taken on correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 6; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section modified method of supporting the ink bottle with the ink well; Fig. 11 is a central vertical longitudinal section showing an integral construction of my improved ink well and bottle;

showing still another modified form of my improved combination ink well and bottle and showing particularly the structure of the improved pen receiving reservoir employed in the structure of my invention; Fig. 13 is a central vertical longitudinal-sectional view showing how the taper offset within the angularly disposed feed tube acts as a guide for the insertion of a pen; Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on line l4l4 of Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a transverse vertical section taken on line lS-li of Fig. 12; Fig. 16 is a longitudinal disclosing a 1 Fig. 12 is a central vertical longitudinal section 15 sectional view taken on line lG-IG of Fig. 17; Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the improved feed tube employed in the pen receiving reservoir in the structurepf my invention; Fig. 18 is a side elevation for a modified form of the bottle and ink well embodying my invention; Fig."19 is a' vertical sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 18 with the parts shown partially in side elevation; Fig. 20 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 19 taken in line 20-20 of Fig. 19; and Fig. 21 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the ink bottle prior to the engagement thereof with the base support.

Referring to thedrawings in detail, reference character I designates the base of the combined ink bottle'and ink 'well of. my invention having a pad 2 thereon by which the base I is mounted on a supporting surface and having a recess 3 therein into which the combined ink well andink bottle of my invention extends.

The combined ink well and ink bottle of my invention may i be embodied in many difl'erent forms and in describing one or the other of several forms, herein, it will be understood that I intend all such forms of the invention to be interchangeable with respect to any of the other elements of the structure and that modifications in the structure may be made without departing from the scope of my invention. The structures illustrated herein therefore are intended to be considered in the illustrative sense and not in the limiting sense. The ink container which is supported in recess 3 in base I is shown at 4. The main ink reservoir closely conforms with the interior cross section of the container 4 as is illustrated at 5 in which the main reservoir or container is shown inverted in position to gravitationally deliver the ink 6 therein to the base of the container 4 as represented at I. The main reservoir 5 has a neck portion 8 of reduced cross section as compared with the cross section of the main reservoir 5 and into this reduced portion an annular insert 9 is disposed' having an axial port extending vertically therethrough as indicated at 9a to receive the ink feeding tube ID. The ink feeding tube I is provided with annular flanges Illa and lb thereon on opposite sides of the insert 9 for the purpose of firmly anchoring the ink feeding tube ID in the insert 9. The ink feeding tube I0 is provided with an outlet port II in one side of the ink feeding tube substantially above the base of the container 4. The extremity of the ink feeding tube III is serrated as shown at I2 for providing a plurality of ports for the circulation of the ink. The pen receiving reservoir I4 is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the base I and projects beyond the side wall of the container 4 and terminates in a frusto-conical end portion illustrated at I5. The ink receiving reservoir I4 is provided with an air inlet and outlet aperture 16 positioned within the area of the.

container 4 as shown. The end of the pen receiving reservoir I4 is apertured or cut away as shown at H. The main ink reservoir is separated from the container 4 by an appreciable air gap indicated at I8 allowing atmospheric pressure to be exerted in the container 4 against the surface of the pool of ink represented at I in the base of the container 4. The ink feeding tube In serves as a support for the main reservoir 5 above the base of the container 4 and positively spaces the main reservoir 5 above the bottom of the container 4 at such an elevation that a quantity of ink may flow into the bottom of container 4 sumcient to flood the ink receiving reservoir I4 at the level indicated below the outlet port II to insure a continuous supply of ink into which the pen point I9 may be dipped from time to time. It will be observed that the frusto-conical end portion I5 of the ink receiving reservoir I4 serves as a limiting abutment for the lower end 20 of the handle of the pen represented at 2I to prevent excessive accumulation of ink on the point of the pen I9 by too great a depth of (HP.

In lieu of the method of supporting the main reservoir 5 by means of the ink feeding tube I0, I may directly support the main reservoir 5 by contact with the upper surface of the inclined tubular wall of the pen receiving reservoir I4, as

. shown in Fig. 5. The extremity 8a of the neck portion-8 of. the main reservoir 5 is reduced in cross-section, as presented by 8b, and allows the delivery of the required quantity of ink to maintain the level of the ink in the base of container 4 and pen receiving reservoir I4, as indicated at I.

The relatively loose fit between the exterior wall of the main reservoir 5 and the interior wall of the container 4 permits atmospheric pressure to be exerted against the upper surface of the ink in the pool I in the base of the container 4.

Where it is impractical to provide a loose fitting connection between the exterior wall of the mainreservoirS andthe interiorwallofthecontainer 4, I provide a tight fitting connection according to the arrangement shown in Fig, 6 in which main reservoir 5 telescopically engages container 4 and in which an air outlet and inlet port 22 is provided in the side wall of container 5 4 at a point below the lowest limit towhich main reservoir 5 moves. The lower extremity 8a in the main reservoir 5 is limited in its downward move- Y ment by contact with the upper inclined wall at pen receiving reservoir I4. The frusto-conical portion I5 of the pen receiving reservoir I4 may be covered by hinge cover member 23 pivotally mounted with respect to the frusto-conical portion I5, represented at 23a. A capillary rod or tube member 24 is provided interconnecting the base of. the container 4 and the main body of the ink in the main reservoir 5. The capillary 24 may be in the form of a rod slotted longitudinally,

as represented at 24a, to allow the feeding of ink from the main reservoir 5 into the pool of ink I in the base of the container 4. The capillary 24 may be a tube apertured at intervals through which ink is fed from the main reservoir 5 into the pool I in the base of the container 4. The depth of the ink in the pool I is controlled 25 or regulated by the contact of the extremity of the main reservoir at M with the angularly disposed pen receiving reservoir I4, as shown.

As illustrated in Fig. 10, I may support the main reservoir 5 with respect to the interior wall of container 4 by means of lugs 25 cast integral with the inner surfaces of the container 4 The air gap I8 between the main reservoir 5 and the container 4 allows atmospheric pressure to be exerted against the surface of the ink in the bottoom of container 4 and the level of the bottom of container 4 is fixed by the position of the extremity of the main reservoir 5 with respect to the base of the container 4.

In lieu of the independent arrangement of the main reservoir and container, I may construct the container and main reservoir integral with each other, as, shown more particularly in Fig. 11. In this arrangement, a tubular container 26 is provided with a laterally extending partition 15 member 21 and an end sealing plate 28. The

.partition and end plate provide two chambers in the container, one of which I have designated by 29 and the other by reference character 30.

Chamber 28 is the storage chamber from which ink is delivered through tubular member 3| and through port 3|a to the expansion chamber 30.

A removable plug 32 provides for the initial filling of the main reservoir 29 and serves to seal the end of tubular member 3i when the main reservoir 29 has been filled and when the device is in use. The pen receiving reservoir I4 is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the removable base 28 and is provided with aperture I'I adjacent'the base thereof and air inlet x and outlet l6 above the surface of the ink formed in the pool I in the expansion chamber 30. A predetermined quantity of ink is continuously supplied from main reservoir 29 to expansion chamber 30 to maintain pressure .05 equilibrium within the expansion chamber 30.

In order to insure the proper supply of ink to the pen point at all times; I may construct the pen receiving reservoir in the manner illustrated in Figs. 12-17. In this arrangement, the pen receiving reservoir I4 is arranged as in the prior figures, that is, at an acute angle with respect to the base of container 4. The bore of a smaller diameter at 34 through a tapered wall portion 35. The tapered zone 35 is disposed substantially at the junction of the upper portion of the container 4 with the upper portion of the wall of the, pen receiving reservoir H. A capillary slot 36 is out in the upper portion of the pen receiving reservoir l4. The capillary slot 36 serves to continuously feed ink by capillary attraction to a position above the level of the ink in the pool 1., That is to say, the ink from pool I continuously rises in the slot 36 and occupies a position represented at 31 in slot 36 by reason of capillary attraction. The slot 36 extends to such a position along the tubular portion of pen receiving reservoir l4 that the upper portion 33 of the pen point i9 contacts with the upper portion of capillary slot 36 as a result of which ink flows from the accumulation at 31 in slot 36 onto the back of the pen.

The point of the pen is guided into the pen receiving reservoir l4, as'illustrated more particularly in Fig. 13, where the point of the pen i9 slides naturally along the frusto-conical tapered portion 35 to a position within the pool of ink I and is a position where the ink feeds from the accumulation at 31 in capillary slot 36 onto the back of the pen. The dual supply of ink both at the nib of the pen and on the back of the pen by reason of the capillary feed feature of the pen receiving reservoir of my invention, insures a proper supply of ink to the pen point. The withdrawal of the pen point accompanied by an abrasive action between the nib of the pen and. the tapered wall 35 of the pen receiving reservoir, tends to remove from the pen nib any excess ink allowing such ink to be quickly returned to pool I. The capillary slot 36 continuously fills up with a new supply of ink in the zone 31 so that changes of ink may be supplied to the pen as the pen is dipped from time to time.

In some instances, I have found it more practical to market the ink bottle with screw threads, as shown at 46 on the neck 6 of the bottle in Figs. 19 and 21. A flange 4| integral with the neck 6 provides a centering means for the bottle in inverted position in the base 42. Internal screw threads 43 are provided in the base 42 for receiving the screw threads 46 on the neck 6 of the bottle 5. A port 6b is provided in the end of neck 6. There is a port 42b in base 42 in alignment with port 6b in the neck of the bottle through which the capillary rod 44 extends. There is a V-shaped groove 44a in rod 44 for facilitating the feeding of ink from the main body of ink i in bottle 5 to the pool of ink! in the base 42.

' For the purpose of strengthening the hollow base 42, I provide a plurality of radially disposed webs 42a integrally connected with the base 42.

There is a laterally extending partition member 42c integrally connected with the base 42 providing an overflow chamber 45 throughout which the ink flows through passages 42d. The base 42,is supported on plate member 46 having annular grooves 46a therein for receiving the base 42. The structure of the base and plate 46 is such .that these elements may readily be molded in a single integral member. Pads 46b are provided on plate 46 for mounting the plate in position on ,a supporting surface 41.

The pen receiving reservoir is shown at 48 projecting through one wall of the base 42 and slotted at 46a .to allow entry of the ink from pool I, and slotted at 46b to allow capillary feeding of ink to the point of pen i9. Particular care is taken to provide a frusto conical plug portion 50 on the'pen handle 2| coacting with a complementary tapered portion 46 on the ink recelving reservoir 48. The coaction of the frusto conical 5 portion 56 and the complementary portion 46 is such, that when the pen rests in the outlet tube, the ink receiving reservoir is closed against dust and evaporation. a

The form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 18-21, lends itself to production and marketing very readily. v

A port 5| is provided between the pool section I of the base and the expansion chamber section 45 of the base as shown. 16

The ink well and bottle of my invention operate upon the principle of hydrostatics in which the level of the ink in the pool I is maintained under action of atmospheric pressure and partial vacuum formed in the main reservoir.

I have found the combined ink well and bottle of my invention highly, practical and successful in its operation, and while I have described my invention in certain of its preferred embodiments,

I desire that it be understood that modifications may. be made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a device of the class described, a container forming an ink receiver, a pen receiving reservoir constituted by a tubular member extending at an acute angle to the base of said receiver and projecting through one wall of said receiver, and a main reservoir for ink mounted in inverted position in said container and maintained in a predetermined position above the bottom of said container by abutment with the inclined wall of said pen receiving reservoir.

2. In a device of the class described, an ink receptacle, a pen receiving reservoir projecting through one wall of said receptacle and disposed at an acute angle with respect to the base thereof, a bottle containing a supply of ink mounted in inverted position in said receptacle, said bottle having a contracted neck portion abutting with a portion of the inclined wall of said pen receiving reservoir, ink and air feeding apertures between said pen receiving reservoir and said receptacle, and means for feeding ink by capillary attraction from said ink bottle into said receptacle.

3. -A device of the class described comprising an ink receiving receptacle, a pen receiving reservoir constituted by a tubular member projecting through one wall of said receptacle and inclined at an acute angle with respect to the base thereof, ink and air feeding apertures interconnecting said tubular member with the interior of said 60 receptacle, an ink bottle arranged to be mounted in inverted position in said receptacle, said ink bottle having a contracted neck portion adapted to abut against the upper wall of said inclined tubular member forming said pen receiving reserc5 voir, and means for admitting atmospheric pressure, into said ink receiving receptacle.

4. A device of the class described comprising an ink receiving receptacle, a pen receiving reservoir constituted by a tubular member projecting through one wall of said receptacle and inclined at an acute angle with respect to the base thereof,- ink and air feeding apertures interconnecting said tubular member with the interior of said receptacle, an ink bottle arranged to be mounted in inverted position in said receptacle, said ink bottle having a contracted neck portion adapted to abut against the upper wall of said inclined tubular member forming said pen receiving reservoir, and a port in one side of said receptacle for admitting atmospheric pressure to the body of ink therein and directly over the surface of the ink determined by the elevation of the extremity of the neck of said bottle above the base of said receptacle.

5. In a device of the class described, an ink receiving receptacle, a pen receiving reservoir comprising a tubular member extending through one wall of said ink receiving receptacle and disposed at an acute angle with respect to the base thereof, ink and air ports interconnecting said pen receiving reservoir with said ink receiving receptacle, an ink bottle, and a tubular extension on said ink bottle projecting through said pen receiving reservoir and apertured adjacent the base for delivering ink to said ink receiving receptacle, said extension predetermining the elevation of said bottle above the base of said receptacle.

6. In a device of the class described, an ink receiving receptacle, a pen receiving reservoir comprising a'tubular member extending at an acute angle with respect to the base of said receptacle and projecting through one wall thereof, an ink bottle mounted in inverted position in said receptacle and maintained at a predetermined elevation above the base of said receptacle for continuously supplying ink thereto under hydrostatic pressure, and means for feeding ink upwardly through a portion of said pen receiving reservoir from said ink receiving receptacle by capilliary attraction.

7. In a device of the class described, an ink receiving receptacle, a pen receiving reservoir comprising a tubular member extending at an acute angle with respect to the base of said receptacle and projecting through one wall thereof, an ink bottle mounted in inverted position in said receptacle and maintained at a predetermined elevation above the base of said receptacle for continuously supplying ink thereto under hydrostatic pressure, the tubular member constituting said pen receiving reservoir being slotted at one side thereof for feeding ink upwardly in a portion of said pen receiving reservoir from said ink receiving receptacle.

8. In a device of the class described, an ink receiving receptacle, a pen receiving reservoir comprising a tubular member extending 'at an acuate angle with respect to the base of said receptacle and projecting through one wall thereof, an ink bottle mounted in inverted position in said receptacle and maintained at a predetermined elevation above the base of said receptacle for continuously supplying ink thereto under hydrostatic pressure, the tubular member comprising said pen receiving reservoir being slotted along the upper portion thereof for feeding ink upwardly along said pen receiving reservoir by capillary attraction.

9. In a device of the class described, an ink receiving receptacle, a tubular member constituting a pen receiving reservoir projecting through one wall of said ink receiving receptacle and disposed at an acuate angle with respect to the base thereof, an ink bottle mounted in inverted position for supplying ink to said ink receiving receptacle under hydrostatic pressure, the tubular member constituting said pen receiving reservoir having a longitudinally extending slot in the upper wall thereof for feeding ink by capillary attraction upwardly along said pen receiving reservoir for discharge upon a pen point insertable into said pen receiving reservoir. 7

10. In a device of the class described, an ink receiving receptacle, a tubular member constitut- 6 ing a pen receiving reservoir projecting through one wall of said ink receiving receptacle and disinsertable into said pen receiving reservoir to a position in contact with the slotted portion of said pen receiving reservoir for receiving a 20 charge of ink elevated by capillary attraction from said ink receivng reservoir.

11. A combined ink well and ink bottle comprising a base, a bottle-like reservoir having a screw-threaded neck thereon, a screw-threaded 25 central portion in said base for receiving the screw-threaded neck of said bottle in inverted position, a horizontally disposed partition member in said base dividing said base into upper and lower co mpartments, a pen receiving reservoir projecting through said compartments, and means for feeding ink by capillary attraction into said pen receiving reservoir from said upper compartment.

12. A combined ink well and ink bottle comprising a base, a bottle-like reservoir having a screw-threaded neck thereon, a screw-threaded central portion in said base for receiving the screw-threaded neck of said bottle in inverted position, a horizontally disposed partition member in said base dividing said base into upper and lower compartments, a pen receiving reservoir projecting through said compartments, means for feeding ink by capillary attraction into said pen receiving reservoir from said upper compartmen't, and a port interconnecting said compartments.

13. A combined ink well and ink bottle comprising a base, a bottle-like reservoir having a screw-threaded neck thereon, a screw-threaded central portion in said base for receiving the screw-threaded neck of said bottle in inverted position, a horizontally disposed partition member in said base dividing said base into upper and lower compartments, a pen receiving reservoir projecting through said compartments, means for feeding ink by capillary attraction into said pen receiving reservoir from said upper compartment, and radially extending webs integrally connected with the central socket portion of said base and w the exterior walls thereof.

14. In a device of the class described, an ink receiving receptacle, a pen receiving reservoir comprisinga tubular member extending through one wall of said ink receiving receptacle and disposed at. an acute angle with respect to the base thereof, an ink port interconnecting said pen receiving reservoir with said ink receiving receptacle, and a port in one side of said ink receiving receptacle for admitting atmospheric pres- -sure to the body of ink therein and directly over the surface of the ink, determined by the elevation of the extremity of the neck of the bottle above the base of said receptacle, an ink bottle, means for mounting said ink bottle in inverted 76 position in said receptacle, said bottle having a contracted neck portion, a restricted opening in said contracted neck portion, and a loose fitting capillary element extending through said rerestricted opening in said contracted neck portion and abutting the bottom of said ink receiving receptacle for inducing ink by capillary attration from said bottle into said ink receiving receptacle.

15. In a device of the class described, an ink receiving receptacle, a pen receiving reservoir comprising a tubular member extending through one wall of said ink receiving receptacle and dis-' posed at an acute angle with respect to the base thereof, an ink port interconnecting said pen receiving reservoir with said ink receiving receptacle, an air port in one side 01' said receptacle, an

ink bottle, means for mounting said ink bottle in inverted position in said receptacle, said bottle having a contracted neck portion, a restricted opening in said contracted neck portion, and a loose fitting capillary eleinent extending through said restricted opening and abutting the bottom of said ink receiving receptacle for inducing ink by capillary attraction as well as hydrostatic pressure to move from said ink bottle into said ink receiving receptacle, the tubular member constituting said pen receiving reservoir being slotted along the upper portion thereof for feeding ink upwardly along said tubular member above the level of ink in said pen receiving reservoir by capillary attraction.

CAREY G. GREGORY. 

